Sarpedon & Glaucus

Sarpedon (Σαρπηδών) and Glaucus (Glaucos or Γλαὓκος) were co-captains of the Lycian forces and allies of Troy. The two Lycian heroes were cousins; they were grandsons of the hero Bellerophon. Glaucus was the son of Hippolochus. There is some confusion over who Sarpedon's parents were.

Some say that Sarpedon was the son of Zeus and Europa, and brother of Minos and Rhadamanthys. If that were the case, then Sarpedon would have been very old.

Another version says that the Cretan Sarpedon migrated to Lycia when he was driven from Crete by Minos. Evander, Sarpedon's son, married Deïdameia (Deidameia), daughter of Bellerophon. It was Evander and Deïdameia who were the parents of Sarpedon. Therefore, the Sarpedon who fought in Troy was the grandson of the Cretan Sarpedon (Europa's son).

In a third version, Homer says that Sarpedon was the son of Zeus and Laodameia, another daughter of Bellerophon. Personally, I think the second version was the most likely.

During the war, Sarpedon was one of the better fighters on the Trojan side. Sarpedon killed Tlepolemus, son of Heracles and Auge, leader of the Rhodians. Glaucus encountered the divine-inspired Diomedes and was about to fight, until they had both discovered each other's lineage. Apparently their grandfathers were once guest-friends (Bellerophon and Oeneus). Instead of fighting one another in combat, the two enemies exchanged armours, promising to avoid one another in combat.

Sarpedon and Glaucus distinguished themselves in the fighting, two days later. They led one of the strongest attacks on the wall of the Greek camp. But on that same day, Sarpedon was killed by Patroclus, companion of Achilles. Furious fighting was fought over Sarpedon's body, until his body was recovered by the god Zeus (who was his father, according to Homer). Sarpedon's body was brought back to Lycia by the gods, Hypnos ("Sleep") and Thanatos ("Death"), for a proper funeral.

When Achilles was killed, there was more furious fighting over Achilles' body. Glaucus was killed by Ajax, son of Telamon, who was standing guard over Achilles' body.